Thinking

Totally worth it.  Years of work.  Life-consuming.  They gave up the comfort of their American life in order to serve some orphans hidden in the midst of a war-torn country. To be exact, Japan, right after WWII.  Not everyone state-side thought they should go; not everyone in Japan thought they should be there.  Reasoning and thinking came from a war-perspective, an us-and-them mindset.   But.  My friends believed the children were facing more than what anyone could really think about it.

When they finally left, Japan had been so impacted by my friends, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Hendricks, the Japanese royalty asked to meet them.

 I met them after.  The way they thought about life changed the way I thought.  Even now, long since their life ended on earth, the way they approached life continues to influence the way I think.   I don't want to close my eyes to what God puts in front of me.  I want to see, feel, and think on the thoughts and ways of God.  And.  Respond with courage.

Consider.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8, NIV).

What and how we think directs our words, attitude, and actions, impacting ourselves and the world around us, one way or another.  Our thoughts often focus on impossibilities, pain, preservation of self, and limitations.  But.  God-driven-thoughts take us to a place of  . . . possibilities . . . healing . . . restoration . . . and miracles.

The thing is . . . it is imperative to develop a mindset with God-driven-thoughts in order to go and do what God says to do . . . moving into the place where heaven and earth collide, the place of God's thoughts.  We can study and think on God's thoughts through intentional study in His Word.

It has always been a miracle to me, to move from my realm of thinking to the realm of God's thinking.  No one should miss the experience.  Some thoughts for today,

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you (Deut. 31: 6).  Nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). I can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13).  Not by might, nor power, but by my Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).

Step into the realm of God's thoughts, where heaven and earth collide. Ask God what He thoughts you are to have today.  Experience the day with God-driven thoughts.

Learning to Kickstart the day with God-driven-thoughts,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Now I See

She did not believe, in anything or anyone.  Eventually, life lost  meaning; it all seemed pointless.  Her world had fallen apart, not because of some big catastrophe, but because of the day-in and day-out tedious-and-mundane details.  It was as if the world lost color; everything looked gray.

Then, it happened, her story changed.  Not the fairy-tale-happily-ever-after kind of change, but, the miracle-it-had-to-be-God kind of change.   So. As strange and amazing as it sounds, she woke up to the presence of God after being diagnosed with cancer.

Underneath all the things that come with cancer, past all the things that could point to the end, she acquired life.  

She did not expect to enter into a relationship with God.  It never occurred to her that she would find life in God. What looked like an ending became a beginning, causing her to reconsider everything about life.  It's a great story about a life that was saved.  Actually, she came alive. She began to see with her heart.  The world was no longer gray or black and white, but made with God-colors, filled with light. In simple terms, she was given a chance to be alive.

It is the stuff of dreams that can only be of God, to have life in the middle of cancer. 

Medical science can help cut and burn cancer out.  But.  It takes God to give life.

Consider.

Everything was created through him; nothing—not one thing!— came into being without him.  What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;  the darkness couldn't put it out. (John 1: 3-5, The Message)

John opened the story of Jesus with a powerful statement of Life.  The Message states it well, What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by.  The thing is . . . our daily stuff . . . the tedious and mundane, the good and bad, the sane and crazy, and the important and unimportant . . . look different when we see it all in the Light.  It is why we sing the words of Amazing Grace:

I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now I see. (John Newton)

 Wake up to Life, the Light to live by.   See the God-colors.  Experience life, regardless of circumstances.

Learning to Kickstart the day in and through Life, the Light to live by,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

WAIT

We canceled classes and groups at church  last night.  Local forecasters had promised a winter storm would dump snow on us, which means chaos in our area.  So.  We closed our campus.  For most of the night, we relaxed, waiting for the storm. But. The storm did not come.   A flurry of  creative-fun--hilarious-mocking phone calls and texts came, cautioning me to be safe in the non-existent blizzard conditions.  Hours later, the snow came.  Finally.

The thing is . . . waiting is rarely fun, but mostly challenging and difficult, requiring trust and hope . . .  with expectancy for something more to occur.  Even, so.  We tend to be impatient while we wait, wondering, if, God will come through for us.  Prayer during waiting times is usually focused on the waiting to be over and what we need, rather, than on learning how to trust and hope with expectancy.  Because.  We really don't want waiting to be God's will.

Consider.

The Lord is my portion or share,
says my living being (my inner self);
therefore
will I hope in Him
and
wait
expectantly for Him.
The Lord is good to those
who wait
hopefully
and
expectantly for Him,
to those who seek Him
[inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God's word].
It is good that one should hope in
and wait quietly
for the salvation (the safety and ease) of the Lord (Lamentations 3:24-26, AMP).

The writer of Lamentations brings clarity to the times we wait, especially, delineating God is good to us.  But.  We miss God's goodness when we face a time of waiting, giving our energy to frustration, anxiety, worry, and stress, refusing to believe it could be God's will to wait. So. We must intentionally relax, i.e., quietly wait, putting our energy into seeking God, asking to be empowered with a new-fresh-strong-expectant trust and hope during waiting times in order to engage with Divine goodness.

Wait with an expectant trust and hope.  
Refuse to be frustrated, anxious, worried, or stressed.  
Relax.  
Quietly wait.  
Seek God.

Learning to Kickstart the day experiencing the goodness of God in the waiting times,

Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

The Big Picture

I have learned many life-lessons from listening to individuals tell their story, especially when it comes to their past.  Many individuals come my way when they are tired, with no idea of how to keep moving through the maze of the ongoing challenges.   As they describe the hard stuff, it is easy to see why they are discouraged and plain-old-done with the way life is going.  But.  After they get through it, they have a new perspective.  One man put it in perspective for me years ago.

He said,  It was one thing, after all the other things, not a big thing, which caused me to walk away. If, I had only done something different before the one small thing happened, we would have made it.  

There it is, the lesson, that we need to look at. Do something different when things aren't working.  The thing is. . . our response to whatever we face in life. . . will direct our way.   Rather than focusing on what isn't working, we need a new perspective, to see what God wants us to see.  

 The big thing to see clearly, is that God has a plan and will guide us through it.       

Consider.

 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. (Jeremiah 29: 11-13, NLT)  

Jeremiah 29 explains the big picture.  God has a plan for good, not for disaster.  He has promised a future and a hope.  Seriously, life is not planned to be a disaster.  So. We need to relax, lighten up, and pray, giving it all to God, rather than living weighed down with the things that produce pressures and problems.  God has said He will listen, not just hear, but listen!  Think about it. God, the Creator of all, will personally pay attention to us.  And. It makes sense that we need to pay attention to God;  when we focus completely or wholeheartedly on God rather than on the circumstance, we will find God.

Refuse to let one small thing cause you to give up.  See the bigger picture.  Pray.  Focus completely on God.

Learning to Kickstart the day seeing the bigger picture, praying, focused on God,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

The Wilderness

 The wilderness, the hard place of life, changed them.  They never wanted to go back.  Even so.  They did.  Their child endangered others.  Again. They were hurled back into the wilderness, a world of hurt, chaos, blame, and shame.  They did not discuss it, with others or, even one another.

By not saying anything, it felt like it was less real.  But.  It left them alone.    

Before you judge, the wilderness is part of the experience of life.  There are lists of things that bring us to the wilderness.

Loss.  Disappointment.   Accusations.  Aloneness. Hurt.  Harm.  

 How we walk through the wilderness changes the course of our life.  The wilderness is the place where the impossible resides, where we feel that we are at a dead-end, and where we find ourselves lost and alone.

The thing is . . . everything about the wilderness is hard . . . but it does hold lessons that will strengthen us . . . if, we are  willing to learn.  

The first lesson to learn is, we are unable to handle life alone; we need God.  We need to seek Him first, refusing to let the stuff in the wilderness become all-consuming, believing God is intimately present.  I am encouraged by what happened to the man called John the Baptist, a tough man, a man's man.  He literally lived in the wilderness.   And, John needed God.  Luke 3: 2 says the Word of God came to John in the wilderness.    Which means, that even in the wilderness, we are not alone.  God is present with  a word, a life message, for us to step into with trust.

Consider. 

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91: 1-2, NIV)

When we are in the wilderness, we will come to a place on the path when we know we can't do it . . . alone . . . and we learn we really do need God.  That said, fear in the wilderness often keeps us from doing anything different, making us think that nothing is going to work, blocking our perspective of faith so that all things seem impossible.  And, yet, the word of God comes.  Right in the center of the wilderness, where we must make a decision.  Will we walk in fear or faith? When we decide to walk in faith, we are enable to attach ourselves to the word of God, as John did.  Look again at Psalm 91, there is such a difference when we receive it as God's personal-active-living message, dwelling in the shelter of the most high, resting in the shadow of the Almighty, rather than spending any time in fear, stress, and impossibilities.  And.  There is power in speaking the Word as the Psalmist did, God is my Refuge . . . God is my fortress . . . I put my trust in God.  We declare and claim our place is in God, even in the wilderness of life.

We need to be intentional and focused on God when we come to the wilderness of life.  So. Stop.  Break away from the fear and the impossibilities that invade the wilderness.  The Word of God has come to you.  Attach yourself to God and His message.  Step into the Shelter of the Most High. Breathe.   Rest. Release the worry, stress, pressure, and stuff that comes at you.  Speak the Word, declaring it as your personal word that has come to you in the wilderness.  Experience the power of God's Word in live action.

When you leave the wilderness . . . you will remember the lessons . . . you will be better, stronger, and ready for the next thing that comes into your life  . . . because . . . you experienced the power of the living Word of God coming to you.

Learning to Kickstart the day living in and speaking the Word of God that comes,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Step In. Trust. Be blessed.

Surprised.  I received a phone call.  A prayer had been answered.  A prayer we had prayed for decades.  DECADES!   It had seemed the answer might be no.  Apparently, it was wait.  It made me think about how we are more apt to doubt, than trust, especially when we are required to wait.  We prayed, believed, hoped, and waited.  And, we were completely surprised.  The truth is . . . we often respond to our inabilities, doubt, and weaknesses  . . rather than the power, presence, and promises of God. So. We are surprised when we pray, knocking at the door, and then it opens.  But.  Trust does not end with the door opening. To step through the doorway, we must step in with trust.

When God opens the door, and He does, step in with trust. 

Even in the best of moments, trust can't be almost.  The Bible, God's message to us, in all sorts of ways clearly delineates we are to trust, making it extremely clear that we are not to worry, to stress, to be discouraged or fearful.

We are promised God has a plan,  God is present, and God won't leave.  

It is a choice to trust God or to worry and stress over something that is not in our realm of control.  When you get down to it, trust is non-negotiable if we want to live strong, experiencing the fullness of life God has promised.  Even so.  Trust can be a struggle.  It seems to me, we struggle trusting because we don't have any idea what the final outcome will be. So.  We have to make the decision to step in and trust.  The thing is . . . only God can make all things possible . . . and once we step in with trust, we experience the possible through the power, presence, and peace of God.

Consider:

 Blessed are those who make the LORD their trust, who do not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.  Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. (Psalm 40: 4-5, TNIV)

To be blessed is to trust God . . .  stepping into the unknown of every moment looking only to God   . . .  remembering all that God has done . . .  focusing on all God plans to do . . . believing God is with and for you, not far away or against you, with the perspective that none can compare to God.

God will open the door.  Step in.  Trust. Be blessed, none can compare with God.

Learning to Kickstart the day blessed by stepping through the open door with trust,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Through The Darkness Into The Light

A knock at the door.  It was early, too early for someone to be at the door. Worry began to move in before they answered the door.  It was the police.  In those early morning hours, their life completely changed.  At first it seemed their life had become a never-ending-nightmare when they learned what happened to their child. Overwhelmed. They wanted life to be different.  But things happened.  Things they could not control.

I sat with them in the following hours,  watching them enter into the most unimaginable dark valley of life.   Nothing has ever been the way it was before that morning.  People told them that they would get over it as time went by.  Which, by the way, does not comfort those who are in a dark valley of life.

In reality, they said, you learn to get through the dark valley, not over it, by trusting God to be present, step by step, believing He will help move you through the darkness into the light. They said they had no idea how to move through the darkness but God showed them.  And. They never thought they could get out of the darkness but God helped them move into the light of life.  

They lived out the words in Psalm 23.
Consider.
 The Lord is my shepherd;
      I have all that I need.
 He lets me rest in green meadows;
      he leads me beside peaceful streams.
    He renews my strength.
   He guides me along right paths,
      bringing honor to his name.
 Even when I walk
      through the darkest valley,
   I will not be afraid,
      for you are close beside me (Psalm 23: 1-4, NLT).
The words are powerful.  When we go through the darkest valley, we can be assured that God will be our shepherd.  We can't see through the darkness but God promises to  guide and stay close beside us.  The dark valleys are difficult, painful, and even chaotic.  But.

God will be present and will give rest, bring peace, and provide strength, especially when we can't fathom it is possible to get through the darkness.  

Look at the words again in Psalm 23, Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  The key words, through and beside, reminds us that we will get through the dark valleys without fear because God will be close beside us.  I have been in some dark valleys, myself and with others, so I can confirm that life never goes back to the way it was; however, if, we choose to go through the dark valley with God beside us, we will learn we do not need to be afraid because we can trust God is close and will move us through it.

The thing is . . . we choose how we will go through the darkest valleys . . . disregarding the presence of God . . . or leaning into Him, letting Him guide, and move us through the darkness into the light. 

Lean into God.  Remember God will move you through the darkness into the light, staying close beside you.

Learning to Kickstart the day trusting God to get me through the darkness into the light,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Asking The Hard Questions

Old houses, the kind that families live in a long time, tell a story.  I used to sit and watch one old house when I was growing up.  I knew it was special. Too many old houses are neglected.  But. Not this one.  There was uniqueness in the "old" of the house.  Craftsmen had built it in the early 1900's with attention to detail, giving the house a one-of-a-kind character and distinct personality.  And. The family living in the "old" house gave life to its story.  They did not just occupy the house, but gave attention to it, bringing life to it, with a welcoming atmosphere and an unusual high energy.

They inspired, influenced, and motivated me to experience more in life.  I can't imagine what life would have been like without the family in the old house. 

We need to be reminded of what it really means to live. The thing is . . . we can either occupy the time and space we have on earth, neglecting the gift of life  . . . or we can pay attention and intentionally live in it . . . with one-of-a-kind character, distinct personality, high energy, and passion . . . impacting the world around us. It is a daily choice. And.

We need to be courageous enough to ask God, others, and even ourselves,  What would this world be like without us . . . today . . . and tomorrow?  What would be missed?  The answer to the hard questions is the message of today's chapter of our life story.

Consider.

 “My brothers have made me tend their vineyards, but I have neglected my own” (Song of Songs 1:6). 

The few words written in the first chapter of Song of Songs could be yours and mine.  If, we neglect our own life, we will miss out on the purpose of living.   Too often we tend to the tasks of life and not life itself.   While we may blame it on someone or something, neglecting our own life is more about neglecting God, the source of life.   We end up occupying  the time and space we have without living the life God has planned.

Ask the hard questions.
Be courageous.
Determine what the message of your life story is today.
Intentionally live, paying attention to the Source of your life.

Learning to Kickstart the day asking the hard questions,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

It's The Kind of Day

It's Madelyn's second birthday, her first birthday celebration since she has been home from China.
It's the kind of day that makes you glad to be living.
It's the kind of day that begins and ends with a laugh-out-loud-moment.
It's the kind of day that you can't wait to get out of bed so the party can begin.
It's the kind of day that you plan to stay up all night and eat cake.

Of course . . . I get it . . . to have our cake and eat it too . . .  on any day . . . is an unusual day.  But. It's Madelyn. One little girl, who has changed our lives, bringing new life into each of our days. It's the kind of day worth celebrating.

 So.  It makes me think.  If, one little girl causes us to stop and celebrate the whole day, why wouldn't we stop, at least one moment of any and each day, for the reason of having received life?  The thing is . . . it's the kind of day . . . any and each day . . . that should be celebrated . . . no matter how challenging, stressful, or downright hard it might seem . .. because God has given us the opportunity to experience life with Him. 

Consider.

Though we were spiritually dead because of the things we did against God, he gave us new life with Christ. You have been saved by God's grace. And he raised us up with Christ and gave us a seat with him in the heavens. He did this for those in Christ Jesus so that for all future time he could show the very great riches of his grace by being kind to us in Christ Jesus.I mean that you have been saved by grace through believing. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. It was not the result of your own efforts, so you cannot brag about it. God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing. (Ephesians 2: 5-10, NCV) 

The Apostle Paul wrote the specific words, found in Ephesians 2, to Christ followers.  Look closely at the words he wrote,  which remind Christ followers of the gift of life given to them.  Paul made it clear that without Christ we are spiritually dead, living without a relationship with God.  But. Through grace in Christ, not by human effort, the gift of new life has been issued.

We are invited to receive and experience life.  It's God's gift.  And, through the gift found in Christ, we have the opportunity to join God to do His good work.  

Our perspective of the day changes when we realize the day is not about what we do on our own but about living in Christ, joining God in His good work, which has been planned, in advance, for us to do in the time and space we occupy.  It makes us realize that today, and each day, is the kind of day worth celebrating. The task of the day?  Join  God in His good work wherever you are at.  And. Celebrate.

Celebrate. It's the kind of day that is to be celebrated.

Learning to Kickstart the day celebrating,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Choose One Thing

I correlate surrender with the moment I was baptized at age nine.  I still remember the feeling of going under the water,  mindful it was my public statement of giving my life to Christ, a declaration that my life without Christ was put into a watery grave, and an act of complete surrender.  It was a significant moment, a declaration to myself and those around me, that I had entered a new life, resurrected and free to live the way God designed me to live.

There is power in surrender, an act of giving self to God.  The thing is . . . surrender marks new beginnings . . . giving fresh eyes of faith . . . opening the mind to  divine wisdom . . . giving a new strength to step into the unknown with trust.  Surrender opens the door to what more God has planned. 

Even so. It is easy to keep the stuff of life inside, letting problems, pressures, and plain old frustration invade our thoughts, attitudes, actions, and beliefs.  Surrender is to be practiced over and over.  I am the first to say surrender can seem too hard . . .  until . . . I surrender and experience the freedom that comes with it.

Consider.
Jesus quoted Isaiah 61:1,2 explaining what He had come for:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come (Luke 4:18, 19).

Read the words Jesus declared again.  Write them down.  Take the words with you today.  Read them over and over.  Think on them. Let the words speak to you.  What do the words say to you today?  What do you need to be released and set free from today?

Surrender is the key to being set free. 

Choose one thing to surrender.
Choose the one thing which seems to always be on your mind, regardless of what else you are doing.
Choose the one thing that you just know would change your life, if, it was out of your life.
Choose the one thing that you desperately want but it just seems impossible for you.
Choose one thing to surrender . . . a  relationship . . . financial situation  . . . health issue . . . career . . . calling . . . crisis . . . event . . . whatever is weighing you down and give it to Christ.
Perhaps you think there is nothing to surrender.  There is.  Always. We live in a world of problems, pressures, and plain old frustration.
Ask yourself, What would my life be like if this was not an issue?  How would I think, behave, speak, and act without it? 
Determine how you would live free if the one thing that weighs you down would be gone. Practice living in that manner . . . the manner of surrender . . . seeing your life with fresh eyes of faith . . . responding with the divine wisdom of God . . . and taking steps of trust.

Take the one thing and surrender it day after day, until you know you are free. Declare the one thing specifically belongs to Christ.  Let the one thing go as if you are putting it under a watery grave.  Live without the one thing controlling or weighing you down.  Breathe, think, speak, and act without its presence in you.  

Each time the one thing seems to come at you . . . refuse to let it near you or to attack you . . . remember it is in the watery grave . . . you are living a resurrected life, free from whatever has weighed you down. 

The moment you wake up, all through the day, and, then, when you go to bed, declare your freedom and live in it. Receive what more God has for you as you surrender one thing after another to Him.

Learning to Kickstart the day surrendering one thing, declaring and living in freedom,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Peace in the Presence

The Oregon Coast is one of my favorite places in the world.  The weather can be intense, especially this time of year.  It's worth watching how creation merges together during a storm.  The sea and sky become one gray mass, the rain hits the crashing waves with a power that can't be duplicated at any water show, and the wind . . . well at times there seems to be no end to its fury . . . causing havoc with anything in its pathway.  And, then, without warning or seemingly any reason, the storm ends, and an unusual quiet settles in.  The thing is . . . the power is not only present . . . during . . . but after the storm.

Part of the reason I like to watch a storm is because I come to a greater realization that I need God.  The power in the storm is another reminder that I am not in control of this world, not even the space I reside in.  But.  The real lesson comes in the quiet after the storm, I am able to see the power that remains underneath.  At the time, the storm seems greater and more powerful than anything in its pathway.  Even so.  The calm . . . the peace . . . remains.  It was there and is there when the storm subsides.

The life lesson from the storms at sea is clear,  the peace of God is greater than any storm of life.  Power and peace are not commonly brought together in a sentence; however, there is more power in the peace of God than what we can possibly comprehend.  When the storms come, and they will, we can remain in the powerful peace of Christ.  

Consider.

Christ said, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the worlds gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

What makes the peace of Christ change us in a storm? How is it possible to not have a troubled heart or not be afraid in the storms of life?

First of all, Christ made it clear that His peace is not anything the world can offer.   His peace comes from His presence, not our circumstances or abilities.  The presence of Christ . . .  is a gift of grace . . . not something we make happen . . . which is promised . . . to always be present.  Always.  So. Peace is as close as the presence of Christ.

The question remains.  How do we experience the storms of life without anxiety or fear? 

Stop.  Refuse to let anxiety or fear grip you.  Become aware of the presence of Christ.  Be mindful that your confidence is in Christ rather than any storm of life.  Accept the peace Christ offers you, which remains beneath you, anchoring you, empowering you to live beyond anxiety and fear.  Intentionally walk in the peace of Christ while the storm rages around you, it will shelter you, be your refuge, and be your strength.

Learning to Kickstart the day living in the peace that comes from the presence of Christ,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)ESERVED)

The Presence Beside You

He asked me to pray for them.  They were in trouble he said.  He did not know what else to do.  Please pray!  A group of us prayed for him.  Something changed in him.  He had peace and a new strength to face what he needed to face.  We had done nothing for him but prayed.  God had calmed the raging storm in him.

The thing is . . . I often wonder . . . if we could see Jesus in the room . . . in the places of life that we go . . . would we be different?  

Can you imagine living, working, and being with Jesus when He walked the earth?  From our perspective, it would seem that life would not be like it is for you and me.  I mean close up being with Jesus each day?  Seriously.  Incredible.   Fear would be gone.  Faith would be strong.   Nothing would be ordinary.
 Except.  There is a story which describes the group of Christ followers, the small group were closest to Jesus, to be like you and me.
To understand the story, requires a quick study of the New Testament books, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John which record other stories about these men, describing them as  experienced, strong fisherman,
who understood the sea.
It was their life.
It was what they did.
It was something they had and could do on their own without Jesus.
Until one night.
A storm came up on the Sea of Galilee.
A BIG storm, where the elements of nature, the sea, winds, and rain unite.
A storm that caused fear in men that had faced storms before.
Jesus was with them.  He was their teacher, not a fisherman.  And, Jesus was sleeping.  But, it did not occur to them to wake Him up until
fear overcame them.  Chaos.  Yelling.  Screaming.
Matthew describes the moment in his book:

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 

 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matthew 8: 23-27, NIV).

The men, who knew the sea, were amazed.  Certainly they understood the power of living in the presence of Jesus beside them. They not only viewed the power of Jesus, but saw that Jesus would not let the storm win. It was a glimpse of the power that resurrected Christ from the cross and gives new life to those who invite Christ to live with them.

We are invited to live in the same presence and power that calmed the storm on the sea of Galilee. Step in and live in the presence of Jesus.  Live with eyes of faith, as if you see Jesus right beside you.  He is. Nothing will separate us from Him.  Not even the biggest storm.

 Learning to Kickstart the day seeing Jesus by my side.
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

What if . . .

Years ago I met with a couple that is as memorable today as they were then.  They developed their life story with blame and anger; anyone could see their ending would not be happily ever after.  Seriously.  Nothing remotely close to a fairytale life.  Their narrative centered on the two words, if only.  So. I gave them two new words, what if.

 I know the hard stuff of life must be addressed;  however, the way we think is a powerful force in the way our story of life goes.   

One of my favorite stories about the way we think is illustrated when Jesus fed thousands of people with two fish and five loaves of bread.  The story opens up with a marvelous picture of the crowd listening to what Jesus had to say, hanging on every word.  The focus of the story shifts at lunch time. There is no food. Well, there was one exception,  a little boy with a lunch of two fish and five loaves of bread, which would be a great story for the value of being prepared.  But.  This story has a different focus.  Thousands of hungry people are thousands of unhappy people, more interested in Jesus telling them how to line up at the buffet tables than anything else.  You can only imagine the conversations going on between Jesus' team, the disciples, as well as between families and friends in the crowd.  "If only . . .  you would have . . .  "


I wonder if anyone said, "What if Jesus uses this situation to perform a miracle?  What if . . . ?"


Consider.  

“Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.(John 6:10-11, NLT)

Can you imagine looking around and seeing thousands of people eating as much as they wanted from a little boy's lunch?

Simple.  Powerful.  Life-changing.  The story changed for thousands of people that day.  Jesus made them lunch.  He cared that they were hungry and he fed them.  Period.

The thing is . . . if we change the way we think . . . focusing on God rather than on the details of our circumstances . . . shifting from if only . . . to what if . . . our story will shift from the impossibilities to the possibilities. 

It is a new day. God will make all things new.  Look again at your life.  See God in it.  Know He cares about every detail, even when you are hungry for lunch. He personalizes your story.  So.  What if. . . ?

Change your narrative from if only . . . to what if . . .  Believe God.  Believe God will do a new work in your life.

Learning to Kickstart the day focused on God, thinking about the what ifs of the day,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Stay the course. Pursue the goal. Run the race.

Have you ever worked really hard on a project, I mean 24-7 focused-on-the-task kind of hard, and then it tanks . . . bombs . . . plain-old-fashioned-fails?  No matter how hard you try to make it work, it doesn't.  And, at some point you give it up because you should.  I think of myself as a get-it-done type of person, the kind of person that appreciates a completed task, a crossed-off item on the to-do-list, and the feeling of accomplishment. But.  When something doesn't work, it is at least annoying and at most maddening.

Even when I am at my busiest, a job well-done is worth the effort, including the extra blood, sweat and tears that I give in order to complete the job. What’s challenging, is managing the times when things don't work.  So. It brings up a conversation with a few questions. What is true success?  What is true failure?  And, why, is either important?

Years ago, one elderly woman answered the question.  

She told me what I did was not necessarily important or would be what would last or really matter, but how I did it and, if, I stayed the course.  

Her words have never left me and continue to mess with me.  The thing is . . . she made the comment from her home, a run-down-old-nursing-home in a musty old room, that had nothing of value in it, but her.  In a few words, she taught me a lasting life principle.  What she said held value, as it was clear to me that from the outside, considering where she was at, people may have thought she had not succeeded at life.  But.  On the inside of those crumbling walls, she was impacting people, including me.  She stayed the course.

In the context of a military battle, to stay the course means to continue to pursue the goal regardless of the obstacles.  To stay the course, as my friend did, we need to be mindful of the ultimate goal. 

Consider.

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. (Philippians 3:12-14, The Message)

The Apostle Paul, who wrote Philippians, was known to be relentless.  Not everything went the way it was planned,  but he stayed the course, pursuing the goal put in front of him.   He explained it in his letter to the early church in Corinth:

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:7-9, NIV).  

You can face anything today through the all-surpassing power of God and move forward despite the obstacles.
Stay the course.  Pursue the goal. Run the race.

Learning to Kickstart the day staying the course, pursuing the goal, running the race.
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

The Power of Freedom

He was young but seemed so old.  His parents were done with him.  They told him that it wasn't anything specific; it was everything in general about their life as parents.  They left.  I mean moved-to-another-state kind-of-left. He felt dead to them. He stayed with one person after another.  Until.  He got into trouble.  Big trouble.  The state took care of him for awhile.  And, then, my friends took him in.  The state considered them to be his last hope.  The thing is . . . they gave him hope for the first time . . . and it was in the gift of hope that began to change his life.

His story could belong to so many; however, it was his to own, as difficult and hurtful as it was.  Whether we want it or not, hurt is a part of our story.

Hurt, the kind that invades into the place others can't see, the inner you, becomes part of our identity.  It will change you.  It will make you weak but can be used to make you stronger.  It will drop you into a deep dark abyss where you are lost and far from who you want to be but can used to push you to the mountaintop where you stand with surprising strength.   Sometimes we find ourselves in the deep dark abyss and realize, if, we don't find a way to climb up, then, we will never come near to the mountain, let alone climb to the mountaintop.  Hurt is a dynamic force in life that can pull us down or can be used to push us up. 

One thing I know, and have experienced, is with the power of God hurt can be used to make us stronger and push us to the mountaintop.  It is a choice to live a life pulled down by hurt or freed in the power that will push us forward, the same power revealed when Christ overcame death and, since then, has been traced throughout history, which has saved the unsalvageable, redeemed the worst of the worst, brought hope to the hopeless, changed the impossible to possible, and breathed new life into what was left for dead. It is the power that not only pushes us out of the abyss to make our way to the mountaintop but frees us from ever going back to it.

Consider.

 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3: 16-17, NIV).  

Freedom, the kind that is beyond what we can do for ourselves, can be found through Christ.  He powerfully frees us to live the best life, using all of our experiences, even the most hurtful.  The veil has been removed.  We are freed from the hurt and harm of this world when we live in the power of the Spirit.

Intentionally live in the power of the Spirit.
Take a time out.
Determine how hurt has gripped you.
Surrender everything to Christ.
Experience the power of freedom as you climb out of the abyss and make your way to the mountaintop.

Learning to Kickstart the day in the freedom of the Spirit,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Fight For Celebration

Super bowl.  We had fun watching the game and commercials with friends.  The game was a fight to the end. I actually enjoyed  the  penalty for excessive celebration, which, yes, I know is considered poor sportsmanship.  I get it.  But.  It made me think.  Celebration should happen.  Seriously.  We need to fight for celebration.  There is power in celebrating . . . an acknowledgement that the hard stuff of life can't win . . . that when we live in Christ, . . . we can know with confidence the battle has already been won.  

To celebrate, really celebrate, we need to develop a perspective that God is always present and will never leave us  or fail us, regardless of the impossibilities of the circumstances we face.  The thing is . . . I don't think we could ever imagine doing what we do in life . . . if we were alone and without God. Even so, there are times we live like God is not with us.  

Consider.

The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes. God's reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee.  The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree. (Psalm 19: 7-9, The Message).  

In other words: God is with you.  God will direct you.  God will work in your life. 

I’ve learned that what makes life a true celebration, is not something we can make happen, but instead what comes from the grace of God, the promise that He will never leave but, instead, He will go through life with us, directing and guiding along the way.  It might not mean much when life seems to be going our way; however, when things are tough it matters, which is celebration itself.  Period.  If, you have been in a tough place of life you will understand when I say that in those times it seems more important to be rescued rather than to go through the hardship. But.

It is in the tough times we discover the power of living with God as He goes through the valley with us . . . bringing all things together . . . making a way when there seems to be no way . . . working out every detail to the nth degree . . . until . . .  in our weakness we become strong . . . because He has fought for us . . . and won the battle.  

I am inspired when I meet people that get it and celebrate in the tough times.
Celebration is as much, or maybe more, about what happens when you get through the tough stuff as it is when you are in good circumstances.
Celebration comes when you know God has gone through the circumstance with you, directing and guiding you, never leaving you.
Celebration is worth the fight because when all is said and done, Romans 8:37 says it best, those who live in Christ are more than conquerors.

Fight for celebration.  Celebrate.  God has won the battle.  You are more than a conqueror. Experience the power of celebration, especially in the tough times.  

Learning to Kickstart the day celebrating, especially in the tough times,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Refocus and Renew

We were with her as she took her final breath.  The thing is . . . each breath seemed like it would be the last . . . the pause between exhaling and inhaling became longer as time went on.  It seemed time stopped with each pause.   We leaned over her . . . encouraging her with words and touch . . . moving into a silent period with her silent pauses . . . developing a rhythmic pattern in her final hours, simultaneously wanting her to stay and wanting her to be released from the pain.

As time passed, we became more silent, recognizing we were in a sacred space as life moved from earth to heaven.  

In the final moments, the purpose and power of life becomes clearer; there is a distinct realization God has powerfully and purposefully issued life in every day, hour, and minute as a gift.  When you stand in the sacred space of life, the pressing problems and urgent matters do not seem to be as much of a big deal.  At all.  Yet.  We can lose our focus on our personal purpose, forget to be thankful,  and make excuses, becoming too busy and tired, believing life is about the problems and pressures.

How can we make sure that we don't miss living the life we are created to live? 

We need to take time, on a regular basis, to create a sacred space in order to refocus and renew ourselves, surrendering all things to God.  

Consider.
Jesus prayed, Your kingdom come,  your will be done,  on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10, NIV).

When you create a space in the day to pray the same words Jesus prayed, Your kingdom come,  your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, you have the opportunity to pay attention to the will of God, to live with purpose, and to be grateful for the life God has powerfully issued to you. 

Refocus and renew.
Realize, with gratefulness, God has powerfully issued you life today.

Take time to pause and pray the words of Jesus, Your kingdom come,  your will be done,  on earth as it is in heaven . . . then . . . intentionally live in the purpose and power of your prayer.
Give thanks for the will of God, it will change the way you see the life you have been issued to live today and every day.


Learning to Kickstart the day with gratefulness for the purpose and power of God's will in life,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Face the Battle as a Winner

Cancer.  I hate the word.  I know.  Hate is a strong word.  But.  I hate cancer.  It does terrible things.  The thing is . . .  there are significant people in my life . . .  heroes . . . who have battled with cancer and taught me, and so many others, lessons of life.
Like:

Cancer is a horrible battle. But. It is not ours to fight alone.  God will never leave us to fight it alone.   Never. Cancer is invasive and intrusive.  But.  It does not define who we are.  Never. Cancer is, at times, overwhelming to manage.  But.  It is not impossible with Christ to manage.  Never. Cancer will never win. Never.

So.  What is the main point of these hard-earned life lessons?

Regardless of whatever or whoever comes against you, the battle is won the moment you hand the battle over to God. 

Consider:

. . .  This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. (2 Chronicles 20: 15, NLT)

Powerful words to live by.  No matter how big the battle becomes, God will fight the battle.  My identity is not in who or what I am battling, but it is in God.  Nothing, I face, is impossible, when I face it with God. So.  I need to purposefully ask the Spirit of God to break off any fear or discouragement in my life and give me strength to walk through any and every battle, knowing the battle belongs to God, not to me.

Face the battle . . . 

do not be afraid . . . 

don't be discouraged 

 . . . for the battle belongs to God.

Learning to Kickstart the day facing the battle as a winner,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

Intentional

I think she could have run me down on the road.  I was intent on her seeing me, trying to wave her down; she was intent on the road ahead.  These two sentences explain how we relate to each other.  To be honest, it took us time to become friends.  Something happened in us as we got to know each other.  We became a integral part of one another's world. At this point, we know what one another thinks and wants.  Actually, we are intentionally going the same way, we just travel the journey of life differently.

We both want to intentionally live the best life possible in Christ.  The word, intentional, explains us to be deliberate, even though we will always be different.  In Christ, we are made new, free to intentionally be who we are created to be.

Consider:

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come (2 Corinthians 5:17, NASB).

How can we be new?  When we consider 2 Corinthians 5:17, the question must be asked, Therefore what?  Go back and read verses 1-16, which clarifies Christ intentionally died on our behalf and intentionally was resurrected for all.
So.
When we ask Christ in . . . we can be confident Christ intentionally put the old things of our life, the sin, into the grave . . . and intentionally gave us new life through His resurrection.

The thing is . . . it is easy to live as if the things that belong in the grave are still alive . . . so we must  intentionally develop a daily mindset that we are free from what has gripped us in the past, being mindful that what is dead . . . is dead.  Then.  We are free to intentionally be who we really are, to enjoy the life we have received, and to celebrate the power of the resurrected life.

As you travel the road of life . . . consider what it means to intentionally live in Christ . . . .  freed of what was . . .  to be all that you are intended to be.   Along the way remember . . . we all travel differently on the road . . . but in Christ . . . we all are intentionally headed the same way.

Learning to Kickstart the day intentionally as a new creation in Christ,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)

The Gift of the Moment

At age two, Madelyn is one of the most decisive people I've encountered.  She knows what she wants.  Exactly.  No hesitation.  Her decisions are made with an anticipation of what will happen, as, if, she is on the verge of receiving a great gift, and as far as I can see, she is right.

Choices are presented.  Apple or banana?  Blue or pink?  Outside or inside?  Decisions are made. Immediately.  And, then, she stops to experience what has been decided for the moment. The thing is . . . Madelyn chooses . . . to experience the gift of the moment.

It has made me think how I need to experience life.  If, I believe the God of the universe is present in each moment, then, I need to decide, on a daily basis, to be fully engaged with what is presented to me in the moment, experiencing the gift of life.  It is a decision that is often put aside because life can get so complicated.

Consider.

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water."  . . .  (John 4:9, NIV)

A moment.

Jesus sat down at a well, beside a woman.

We know the woman was alone.

Usually women went to the well together to draw water for the day, not only to experience community, but to be safe. 

We don't know the woman's name.

Names were important then, as they are now, indicating an individual's worth.  

We know the woman had been in several relationships with men.

It is assumed by the reader that she gave herself away to survive, which would result in being shamed by the ancient society.

Think about the way the woman's story is told.  Alone. Nameless.  Shamed.
But.
God had a gift for the woman. It began with a connection with the Savior of the world . . . which led to  a life-changing decision . . .  when Jesus offered the gift of life.  Think about it.   She most likely had stopped trusting the words of men long before she encountered Jesus.
But.
She decided to trust, receiving the gift of life.
And.
Everything changed; the woman told her story to the community.  It may have been the first time, at least in a long while, that she had a meaningful conversation.
And.
Many received the gift life.

They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”  (John 4:42, NIV) 

When we come to the place where we connect with the presence of Christ, we realize that He not only offers the gift of life . . . but . . .  has given us the ability to experience it, moment by moment.  Regardless of the circumstances we face, the gift of life, changes who we are and how we manage each moment.

Make a decision.  Experience the gift of life in each moment of the day.

Learning to Kickstart the day choosing to experience the gift of life in each moment,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)